Not saying it's impossible, but I don't really see him as a serious option as a winger. Throwing him on late for crosses works okay, but he could frankly do that as a full-back. He doesn't have enough direct goal threat or versatility to play a wide role regularly imo. Lots of talk about his defensive weaknesses but that's what the coaches should have been working on over the last year. He's played one prem game at full-back this season (away at Old Trafford) so it's a bit early to be writing him off.

>>> It is inconceivable that he [Sullivan] then goes over both their heads with his choices for the team.

Indeed. And it's not what I'm suggesting. Bilic vetoed Iheanacho. Allardyce chose Downing against Sullivan's advice. Etc. I do think when that happens Sullivan tends to make it very clear in the media. As he did over Krychowiak and Sanchez late in this window. But clearly Bilic didn't decide against buying Carvalho, Sullivan did. Same with Fletcher, who Allardyce wanted and Sullivan vetoed.

So it's clearly a more subtle relationship than 'one person makes the decisions'. This Summer a number of the signings were Bilic suggestions that Sullivan found fit the budget - you could interpret that Sullivan does what Bilic wants as long as it suits him too. In practice the process seems to be that Sullivan explores the options and then presents them to the manager - there's a very strong curatorial hand in that. The story is that Bilic chose Ayew, but Ayew was only on the table because Sullivan put him there.

The irony really is that for the 12+ months or more after Sullivan announced that he was taking much more control over transfers (after Allardyce's worst season) was one of our most successful periods in the market - Cresswell, Kouyate, Sakho and then Obiang, Payet, Lanzini etc.

"Sullivan doesn't make all the choices but is still clearly very closely involved. I think he's suggesting a bunch of the players we pursue and how we pursue them."

What you think is irrelevant to be honest. He employs a football manager -Bilic - and a Head of Recruitment -Tony Henry. It is inconceivable that he then goes over both their heads with his choices for the team. DS owned up to an occasional choice once every year or two.

I also accept that DS may not accept the price of some players wanted by Bilic and Henry so moves further down the list but I dare say all owners know their own budgets and what they can finance better than anyone else.

What happens is that Bilic and Henry decide what is needed to strengthen the team and ask DS for the money. DS does the negotiations with the agents and other clubs but to suggest that because Bilic & Henry make mistakes it must be because the owner foisted the failed players on them is just idle speculation imho.

I personally don't like DS involved in negotiations but I understand why he does it when agents and managers are known to be prone to back-handers...

Masuaku left midfield, Antonio right midfield. Both to varying extents understand the job of the full back behind them which is more than can be said for Ayew or Arnautovic, or if they do understand it they don't give a toss.

Masuaku I think should clearly be our starting left-back. I don't think it's really that close between him and Cresswell in terms of ability. To me it's another sign of how Bilic's judgement gets clouded by reputation and short-term concerns.

Sullivan doesn't make all the choices but is still clearly very closely involved. I think he's suggesting a bunch of the players we pursue and how we pursue them. The indications to me are that while Bilic might initially sit around the table and discuss possibilities, it's really Sullivan who then controls the transfer strategy.

"The Owner-bought players mixed with a manager who doesn't know his best formation..."

Why do so many still insist that our owners select players? You know that isn't true don't you? DS does the negotiations and maybe doesn't get the first choice but I suggest that no Director of Player Recruitment would leave Everton for WH if DS makes all the choices for a manager.

Have a look at this -https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2017/may/22-may/two-or-three-signings-will-take-us-level-director-player-recruitment

His defending is atrocious,but so is Cresswell's, it's a hard choice really between the two of them. How the hell does Cresswell get in the England squad? The art of defending at the back is a dying skill it seems.

Definitely a quality footballer but hasn't convinced he's assured in a defensive aspect. Cresswell is by far more consistent and we'll rounded, although Masuaku would definitely start left midfield for me.

The Owner-bought players mixed with a manager who doesn't know his best formation let alone eleven have caused so many fans to have their opinions on players messed up. Arnie getting judged for bot tracking back and covering Cresswell even though he was a wide man in a front 3. Ayew slated even though he's clearly a poacher and never a winger.

The sooner Bilic finds a formation and starts putting the round pegs in the round holes the better. As far as left sides go in a 4-4-2, you can do a lot worse than Cressy and Arthur.